Posts Tagged ‘Eastern Shore Trail Ride’

Eastern Shore Virginia’s 2018 Fall Trail Ride

Tuesday, November 13th, 2018

DSC_2944Keep Calm and Ride Horses was the masterplan for the October 6th weekend when the attendees of the Eastern Shore of Virginia’s Fall Trail Ride arrived on scene. Rescheduled from late last month because of weather, this time around it went off without a hitch. Within moments of arrival, riders turned into busy bees- – unpacking and setting up their campsites, lighting fire pits, chatting with friends, meeting new corral neighbors, walking dogs. Some saddled up for a quick jaunt before dark but most concentrated on feeding, grooming and getting their horses comfortable and settled in after what had been, for many, a long trailer trip to get to the Shore. ( Although many arrived in what I think of as very comfy “horse mansions” on wheels. )

Several of the folks we met had driven down from Delaware and Maryland, including one rider who said her horse Andy was “ just the best” and he had inspired her to buy a little farm. Bouncy little dog Ember’s owner indicated that this was the 8th Ride she had attended and had come to love the Shore just from participating. A lady who hails from nearby Greenbackville, busy feeding some treats to her gorgeous white and chestnut mare, mentioned that she had started attending the precursor to today’s Ride way back when, nearly 30 years ago. Nearby, a group of moms and daughters played cards while their horses munched contentedly just a few feet away. Everywhere, a spirit of calm and happy relaxation reigned.

Saturday is the big day, lots of excitement as riders set off early for a nearly full day excursion. It’s a great opportunity to soak up the Shore’s relaxed coastal ambiance, exploring winding trails through farm fields, into woodlands bordering large waterfront farms, past little freshwater ponds, across roads and over dams, and out onto beaches bordering the Chesapeake Bay, splashing enthusiastically across sand flats, through saltwater shallows. Saturday evening the Station 16 Northampton Fire & Rescue Company, the event sponsor, hosts a big BBQ to celebrate the exciting day, after which most riders are ready to relax by the fire, pleasantly tired, drowsing off to the sweet night music of owls calling from nearby woods and horses nickering softly under the moonlit sky.

 

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The Noble Steed – – Eastern Shore Spring Trail Ride 2018

Thursday, May 10th, 2018

DSC_9903If dogs are known as “Man’s Best Friend”, what are horses ? Asking this question of some of the folks at the Eastern Shore Virginia 2018 Spring Trail Ride elicited quite a variety of answers. My horse is: My big baby… My partner in fun… Time consumer in a saddle… My sidekick in adventures… My noble steed. But clearly the folks at the Trail Ride all had one big ( a half ton big ! ) thing in common- – an evident love of their horses ! We met folks who had traveled from near and far to attend this by-registration-only event. A photographer from Chincoteague, busy splitting kindling for her fire pit, a group of riders from outside Philadelphia who mugged for the camera, a fellow from Smithfield who was petting Cookie, his tiny dog, who barked at us as only little dogs particularly love to do, folks from Maryland feeding a beautiful Tennessee Walker, 2 ladies from Jersey busy with grooming. And the beat goes on.

Sponsored as a fundraiser to benefit Northampton Fire and Rescue and hosted by Mr. John Smith, the landowner, these popular bi-annual Eastern Shore DSC_9915Trail Rides are held each Spring and Fall. And it doesn’t take long for the limited registration slots to close, so if you’d like to join a Ride, check out the website and be sure to apply by the exact dates indicated as it fills up, zippity zip, within a just a few days.

DSC_9943Participants start arriving on Friday, pulling everything from “horse mansions” on wheels with deluxe owner accommodations to single horse trailers with owner’s tents packed in back of the pickup. ( After all, it’s not the house, it’s who is in the house that really counts ! ) Saturday is the big day, the opportunity to enjoy an entire day of the Shore’s coastal ambiance as riders and mounts leisurely travel extensive trails winding through beautiful waterfront farms and woodlands, past pristine ponds and planted fields, across roads, over dams and sandbars, splashing along beachy shorelines. At the end of the day, the Fire Company hosts a big BBQ, after which things begin to settle down. Everywhere, fire pits glow in the twilight, murmured conversations carry on the breeze, horses nicker softly, moonbeams cast a pale glow as horses and riders settle in for a peaceful night of sleep under the Shore’s starry, starry skies.

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